The mill is believed to have been constructed in 1826 by Alexander & Deborah Wallace on Rambo Run and operated fairly continuously until the 1980's. The mill has been in the Wallace family, then the Cross family, only changing hands four times with the one name change. The mill original wooden overshot wheel with wooden spokes and shaft was later replaced by a Fitz wheel manufactured in Hanover, Pennsylvania by one of the largest & most prestigous manufacturers of water wheels in the 19th century, the Fitz Water Wheel Co.

The mill as it looks in winter. Don't forget to check for more photos in Pa-67-06-01-Wallace-Cross / Harry Cross Mill - Part 2.

The mill was placed on Pennsylvania's Inventory National Register of Historic Places on February 24, 1977, and on the National Register of Historic Places on June 10, 1977. The mill was given to York County by the owner Harry Cross in 1979. Since that time, restoration has been ongoing. The focus for the restoration is the 1950's era. This time was the pinnicle of Harry's milling career, when the mill ran 24 hour a day, seven days a week.

The mill's first floor as well as the office are open to the public, with exhibits and demonstrations that are of interest to all age and gender groups. *Update: As of 2006 the second and third floors are open to the public with interpretive displays. Judy Grove, Chairperson of the Friends Group 08/06/2010* Grinding demonstrations of the milling process are accomplished with a Lieberknect mill. A single millstone grinds grain and is used for millstone sharpening demonstrations. A hand-cranked corn sheller removes corn kernals from the cob. The original Fitz wheel was restored and re-installed through the good will of Harvey Bradley. The whole mill, especially the office, gives the impression that Harry Cross had just stepped out for a minute on mill business. The principal function and business of the mill was milling grain into flour and feed, but it was frequently used for farmers meetings and as a gathering place for the community to learn of area news, as is evidenced by the stove, miller's desk, work bench and chairs.

The Miller's house on the hill overlooking the front of the mill on Rambo Run. *Some history courtesy of Glenn Koppel July 1, 2005*